AC transport current loss in high temperature superconducting (HTS) tapes can be measured without a direct electrical connection by using a pick-up loop method. This method requires a correction factor, which is related to the ratio of the linkage magnetic flux determined by the distribution of the transport current in the HTS tape and pick-up loop. In this study, to determine the accuracy of the AC transport current loss measurement using a pick-up loop method, we measured the critical current and AC transport current loss distribution in the tape axis. We found the pick-up loop voltage of the deteriorated section of the HTS tape to be higher than in the normal section with the same transport current. We concluded that the pick-up loop method accuracy is sufficient to measure the AC transport current loss in HTS tapes. © 2009 IEEE.